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A photo of the Palmer Project north of Haines provided to the Empire in 2019 by Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. (Courtesy photo)

State decision on Palmer mine project a win and a loss, environmentalists say

DEC issues waste management permit for exploratory drilling; plaintiffs weigh further challenge.

A photo of the Palmer Project north of Haines provided to the Empire in 2019 by Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. (Courtesy photo)
Rosemarie Becker looks toward the parking lot during Floyd Dryden Middle School’s 50th anniversary celebration Wednesday. Her father, Ed Becker, looks on as they wait in the hot dog line. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Floyd Dryden celebrates 50th birthday with flair

Hundreds show up at middle school for party with bouncy house, hot dogs and instrument petting zoo.

Rosemarie Becker looks toward the parking lot during Floyd Dryden Middle School’s 50th anniversary celebration Wednesday. Her father, Ed Becker, looks on as they wait in the hot dog line. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Heidi Drygas, executive director of the 8,000-member Alaska State Employees Association, addresses a rally outside the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 10. The union prevailed in a lawsuit against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration alleging union dues rules were illegally changed, but the state on Wednesday appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska asks U.S. Supreme Court to hear case about state employee union dues

Dunleavy administration claims state supreme court decision violates workers’ First Amendment rights.

Heidi Drygas, executive director of the 8,000-member Alaska State Employees Association, addresses a rally outside the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 10. The union prevailed in a lawsuit against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration alleging union dues rules were illegally changed, but the state on Wednesday appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
The main entrance at Bartlett Regional Hospital, which has experience staffing shortages, leadership turnover and concerns expressed about patient care in recent months. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Low employee morale a high concern for Bartlett Regional Hospital leaders

First board meeting with interim CEO focuses on better — and cautious — communications.

The main entrance at Bartlett Regional Hospital, which has experience staffing shortages, leadership turnover and concerns expressed about patient care in recent months. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department’s new narcotics dog Dax smiles for a photo Wednesday afternoon outside of the Juneau Police Station. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Buddy has a friend: Police department welcomes new narcotics K-9

New pup joins JPD’s canine program as longtime officer Buddy nears retirement.

The Juneau Police Department’s new narcotics dog Dax smiles for a photo Wednesday afternoon outside of the Juneau Police Station. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Homes along the Mendenhall River damaged by record flooding on Aug. 5 are seen hanging over an eroded embankment a day later. The flood has been declared a state disaster and officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived in Juneau on Wednesday to assess if federal disaster assistance is warranted. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

FEMA officials arrive in Juneau to assess flood damage

Assessors will work with state, local and tribal officials to determine if federal aid is warranted.

Homes along the Mendenhall River damaged by record flooding on Aug. 5 are seen hanging over an eroded embankment a day later. The flood has been declared a state disaster and officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived in Juneau on Wednesday to assess if federal disaster assistance is warranted. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
A “vote here” sign hangs duct taped outside of City Hall in October 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A “vote here” sign hangs duct taped outside of City Hall in October 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Two Alexander Archipelago wolves are seen March 21, 2020, in a trail camera image provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo)

Southeast Alaska wolves are not threatened or endangered, federal agency concludes

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service again rejects request to put them on Endangered Species List.

Two Alexander Archipelago wolves are seen March 21, 2020, in a trail camera image provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo)
An empty hospital bed in a ward. (Photo by Flying Colours Ltd/Getty Images)

Thousands of Alaskans dropped from Medicaid after pandemic protections end

Federal government chides state for its handling of applications and renewals.

An empty hospital bed in a ward. (Photo by Flying Colours Ltd/Getty Images)
Fire blazes from an abandoned home in the Mendenhall Valley on Tuesday morning. Capital City Fire/Rescue officials are investigating the fire as a possible arson. (Courtesy of Capital City Fire/Rescue)

Tuesday morning house fire investigated as possible arson

No injuries were reported and the structure was unoccupied, officials say.

Fire blazes from an abandoned home in the Mendenhall Valley on Tuesday morning. Capital City Fire/Rescue officials are investigating the fire as a possible arson. (Courtesy of Capital City Fire/Rescue)
This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new cruise ship dock downtown that was approved for a conditional-use permit by the City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission in early July. The project has since been appealed and following Assembly action Monday night will now be assigned to a hearing officer. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Assembly accepts appeal of new cruise ship dock permit, assigns hearing officer

Appeal process can take anywhere from six to nine months before a decision is made, attorney says.

This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new cruise ship dock downtown that was approved for a conditional-use permit by the City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission in early July. The project has since been appealed and following Assembly action Monday night will now be assigned to a hearing officer. (City and Borough of Juneau)
Karen Wood (foreground) animal control director for Juneau Animal Control & Protection, and deputy director Andy Nelson examine cats being kept at the facility on Monday. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)

Official: A ‘terrifically crazy year’ for stray cats in Juneau

41% increase in impounded cats for year ending June 30; 65% jump in dogs surrendered also reported.

Karen Wood (foreground) animal control director for Juneau Animal Control & Protection, and deputy director Andy Nelson examine cats being kept at the facility on Monday. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
A Capital Transit bus makes its way downtown in August. The City and Borough of Juneau is considering a public transit bus to use as a winter warming shelter as it has received no bids to host a shelter. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City considers overnight warming bus for homeless during winter

Temporary option in discussion as city faces no prospects to host winter warming shelter.

A Capital Transit bus makes its way downtown in August. The City and Borough of Juneau is considering a public transit bus to use as a winter warming shelter as it has received no bids to host a shelter. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File
Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May. On Monday the Assembly approved a program that will offer $13,500 to the first 16 eligible Juneau residents who apply with the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program to go toward constructing an accessory dwelling unit on their property.
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File
Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May. On Monday the Assembly approved a program that will offer $13,500 to the first 16 eligible Juneau residents who apply with the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program to go toward constructing an accessory dwelling unit on their property.
A cycle rickshaw passes the State Office Building in September of 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

State payroll department ‘one crisis away’ from workers going unpaid

Almost half of payroll processing jobs are unfilled, causing errors and delays

A cycle rickshaw passes the State Office Building in September of 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A man died Sunday after falling off a fishing charter boat in Barlow Cove, located directly west of Auke Bay, according to the Alaska State Troopers. No foul play is suspected. (Map by the U.S. Forest Service)

Man dies after falling off fishing charter boat in Barlow Cove

No foul play suspected as 69-year-old Wisconsin passenger loses footing aboard vessel, officials say

A man died Sunday after falling off a fishing charter boat in Barlow Cove, located directly west of Auke Bay, according to the Alaska State Troopers. No foul play is suspected. (Map by the U.S. Forest Service)
Sam Hatch (left) and Amanda Hatch (right) show pictures of their flood-damaged home to Mike Macans, an individual assistance branch chief for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, at a newly opened disaster assistance center at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Monday. State and local officials are offering in-person assistance at the center through Wednesday to people affected by record flooding from Suicide Basin earlier this month. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Disaster assistance center opens at Mendenhall library for Suicide Basin flood victims

State and local officials offering immediate as well as longer-term help with aid requests.

Sam Hatch (left) and Amanda Hatch (right) show pictures of their flood-damaged home to Mike Macans, an individual assistance branch chief for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, at a newly opened disaster assistance center at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Monday. State and local officials are offering in-person assistance at the center through Wednesday to people affected by record flooding from Suicide Basin earlier this month. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Soil smarts produce a bountiful crop

Growers and buyers share the dirt at 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair.

Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks is seen from the air on Sept. 20, 2022. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Former UAF student sues school, alleging injuries from hot sauce

Woman seeking more than $100,000 from incident in culinary arts class.

The campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks is seen from the air on Sept. 20, 2022. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new round of funding for rural broadband loans and grants. (Image by John Lamb/Getty Images)

Alaska gets nearly $100M from USDA for rural broadband

Hoonan/Angoon area among three statewide areas getting fiber and wireless connections.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new round of funding for rural broadband loans and grants. (Image by John Lamb/Getty Images)